HCWH Lauds Catholic Healthcare West's Rejection of Genetically Engineered and Cloned Foods

Action could affect health food supply chain, nationwide use of GE sugar beets

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. January 07, 2009

ARLINGTON, VA, January 7, 2009 - Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) praised the decision by Catholic Healthcare West (CHW) to seek food suppliers who have agreed to seek alternatives to foods made with cloned animals or genetically engineered (GE) ingredients. The nation's leading Catholic hospital system took the position in recognition of the serious health, environmental and ethical concerns raised by these untested technologies.

The decision of CHW to include GE sugar beets in its new food policy has significance for the entire health care food market and perhaps, the entire sugar beet industry. For the first time this year, genetically engineered beets were planted and harvested. In August, CHW surveyed its preferred food vendors on their policies regarding genetically engineered sugar beets. Their decision to avoid foods made with GE beets sends a signal to health suppliers that hospitals are employing the precautionary principal of "first do no harm" when it comes to untried genetically engineered foods.

"This is an important step toward a food system that promotes ecological health" said Jamie Harvie, HCWH food coordinator. "Beet and sugar producers need to know that their health care customers don't want sugar from genetically engineered beets. Almost 100 percent of GE foods have been developed for pesticide tolerance, resulting in increased use and thereby promoting the need for more toxic pesticides. These GE crops are not good for the health and the environment of our communities."

CHW next plans to survey its meat and dairy suppliers on their policies regarding food from cloned animals. Among the concerns CHW raised about genetically engineered and cloned foods are genetic contamination of natural crops, increased pesticide use, animal cruelty and the deep ethical and moral issues associated with these untested new technologies. CHW is a member of HCWH and has signed "HCWH's Healthy Food in Healthcare Pledge," (www.noharm.org/us/food/pledge) which calls on hospitals to take steps to implement "sustainable food procurement" practices.

"HCWH urges all hospitals throughout the United States to not only establish this type of policy with their suppliers, but to collectively use the purchasing power of the health industry to support sustainable, locally grown food sources," said Harvie. "CHW is at the vanguard in this effort to reject GE foods in the entire food supply chain."

Earlier this year, the FDA stated that, for the first time, it would allow the sale of food from animal clones. Many public health and consumer groups are concerned that GE crops such as sugar beets could contaminate natural crops and increase the use of pesticides. "Genetically modified sugar beets are almost certain to contaminate native related species and transgenic seeds may be spread nationwide. Organic producers will be irreparably harmed and people wanting to avoid genetically modified foods will be unable to do so," said Ted Schettler M.D., science advisor for HCWH.

The European Union requires labels on GE food, but the United States has no laws protecting the public's right to know when food contains genetically engineered ingredients. Yet, US public surveys consistently show overwhelming support for the labeling of GE foods. Ironically, major US food producers label GE foods they sell in their European market, but refuse to do so in the US.

This summer the American Nurses Association adopted a resolution on sustainable food systems which included support for the labeling of genetically engineered foods. This is consistent with a call by the American Public Health Association and the British Medical Association supporting the labeling of genetically engineered foods.

HCWH has an ambitious healthy food agenda, which includes buying fresh food locally and/or buying certified organic food; avoiding food raised with growth hormones and antibiotics; encouraging group purchasing organizations (GPOs) to support healthy food in healthcare; supporting local farmers and farming organizations; introducing farmers markets and on-site food box programs; reducing food waste; and establishing an overarching food policy at each health facility. More than 151 hospitals have signed the HCWH "Healthy Food in Healthcare Pledge." Signers pledge to work toward developing sustainable food systems in their facilities.

The Health Care Without Harm "Position Statement on Genetically Engineered Food" can be viewed at http://www.noharm.org/details.cfm?ID=1540&type=document.

View the Catholic Healthcare West press release on animal cloning and genetically engineered food at http://www.chwhealth.org/CHW_Information/Press_Center/194268.

In 2008, Catholic Healthcare West sent a letter to Health Care Without Harm discussing their Sustainable Food Vision and other food-related positions. View the letter at http://www.noharm.org/details.cfm?ID=2134&type=document.

Heath Care without Harm, an international coalition of more than 473 organizations in 52 countries, is working to transform the health care sector, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. For more information on the healthy food pledge see http://www.noharm.org/us/food/pledge. To learn more about HCWH's work on food and other issues related to health care www.healthyfoodinhealthcare.org.